What is Help Scout?
Help Scout is a help desk that manages support email in shared inboxes, with collision detection, saved replies, and workflows. It includes Docs for self-service knowledge bases, the Beacon widget for chat and help, and AI Assist and AI Answers. It is used by support teams that prefer a clean, low-complexity tool over heavyweight ticketing systems.
Help Scout pricing (2026)
Help Scout charges per user. Free costs $0 for up to 5 users and 100 contacts a month. Standard is $25/user/mo billed annually ($30 billed monthly, up to 25 users), Plus is $45/user/mo billed annually ($54 monthly, up to 50 users) and Pro is $75/user/mo billed annually ($90 monthly) with a 10-user minimum, so Pro starts at about $750/mo. Paid plans have unlimited contacts. AI Answers is an add-on at $0.75 per resolution. Prices were checked in October 2026, so confirm the latest on the official Help Scout site.
| Plan | Price | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | Up to 5 users, 100 contacts/mo |
| Standard | $25/user/mo billed annually ($30 monthly) | Growing teams |
| Plus | $45/user/mo billed annually ($54 monthly) | Higher volume |
| Pro | $75/user/mo billed annually ($90 monthly), 10-user minimum | Scale & security |
Key features
- Shared inboxes with collision detection
- Knowledge base (Docs) for self-service
- Beacon chat and help widget
- AI Assist and AI Answers
- Workflows, saved replies, and reporting
Who is Help Scout best for? (pros & cons)
Pros
- Clean, intuitive, email-like interface
- Unlimited or generous contacts on newer plans
- Friendly, well-regarded support
Cons
- No advanced no-code chatbot builder
- Costs rise as the team grows
- Pricing model has shifted, so confirm details
Help Scout vs alternatives
| Tool | Starting price | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Zendesk | from around $19/agent/mo | Larger, complex support orgs |
| Freshdesk | from around $15/agent/mo | Budget-conscious teams |
| Intercom | from around $39/seat/mo | Chat-first support and sales |
Help Scout: company snapshot
Quick reference details about Help Scout as a company. Figures marked estimated are third-party approximations and may change.
| Founded | 2011 |
|---|---|
| Employees | ~290 (estimated) |
| Headquarters | Boston, Massachusetts (remote-first) |
| Revenue | Not publicly disclosed (estimated ~$29M ARR) |
| Products & services | Help desk software with shared inbox, live chat, and knowledge base for customer support. |
| Best for | Customer support and success teams at small and mid-sized businesses |
| Website | helpscout.com |
| Key clients | Buffer, Basecamp, Trello, Reddit, AngelList |
Stack it with
Pair Help Scout with the rest of a modern B2B stack: